Disposable sleeve for a container

ABSTRACT

A disposable sleeve for a container includes a liner for contacting the container and defining an inner surface and an outer surface. The disposable sleeve also includes a heating element disposed between the inner and outer surfaces to provide heat to the container via a heat-generating reaction, and a frictional material having a coefficient of static friction between 0.5 and 2. The frictional material is disposed on the inner surface for direct contact with the container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of 62/141,553, filed on Apr. 1, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a disposable sleeve for a container. The sleeve typically preserves the temperature of heated contents via a heat-generating reaction.

BACKGROUND

Presently, in the field of drink insulators, there exists many phase change insulators that use vacuum-insulation technology, or a variety of insulating substances, to keep the contents within a container at a desired temperature for a certain period of time. However, while these insulators preserve the temperature of the contents within the container, most of these insulators do not produce their own heat. Furthermore, there are many disposable beverage sleeves that offer temporary protection to a user from heated contents within a container, but are not designed to effectively preserve the temperature of the heated contents. Therefore, there remains an opportunity for improvement.

SUMMARY

A disposable sleeve for a container including a liner for contacting the container and defining an inner surface and an outer surface, a heating element disposed between the inner and outer surfaces to provide heat to the container via a heat-generating reaction, and a frictional material having a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 2, wherein the frictional material is disposed on the inner surface for direct contact with the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disposable sleeve contacting a beverage cup.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the disposable sleeve contacting a beverage cup.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disposable sleeve wherein the liner of the sleeve includes a stretchable material.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the disposable sleeve wherein the liner of the sleeve includes a porous material.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c feature three perspective views of various embodiments of the inner surface of an unfolded disposable sleeve with a frictional material disposed thereon.

FIG. 6 features two perspective views of the disposable sleeve wherein the liner of the sleeve is formed from a stretchable material.

FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c feature three perspective views of an unfolded disposable sleeve including various embodiments of a Velcro style attachment mechanism, an interlocking tab style attachment mechanism, and a belt style attachment mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A disposable sleeve 12 in accordance with the present disclosure is designed to contact a container 16. The container 16, which can be of a multitude of shapes and sizes, is typically a beverage cup, e.g. a coffee cup, which may be disposable itself. The disposable sleeve 12 includes a liner 14, a heating element 40, and a frictional material 26. The liner 14 defines an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 24 for contacting the container 16. The heating element 40 is disposed between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 and is typically enclosed by the liner 14. In this way, a user of the sleeve typically never comes into direct contact with the heating element 40. The frictional material 26 is typically disposed in contact with the inner surface 22 of the liner 14 for direct contact with the container 16.

The liner 14 of the disposable sleeve 12 is, in different embodiments, formed from different materials. In one embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12, the liner 14 is formed from a stretchable material 36 having a Young's modulus less than 5 GPa. In another embodiment, the stretchable material 36 has a Young's modulus from 1 to 2 GPa. In a further embodiment, the stretchable material 36 has a Young's modulus from 2 to 3 GPa. In an additional embodiment, the stretchable material 36 has a Young's modulus from 3 to 4 GPa. In yet another embodiment, the stretchable material 36 has a Young's modulus from 4 to 5 GPa. The stretchable material 36 may be cotton, polyester, spandex, vinyl, nylon, rubber, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the stretchable material 36 is cotton. In another embodiment the stretchable material 36 is polyester. In a further embodiment the stretchable material 36 is spandex. In an additional embodiment the stretchable material 36 is vinyl. In another embodiment the stretchable material 36 is nylon. In a further embodiment the stretchable material 36 is rubber. In yet another embodiment the stretchable material 36 is a combination of two or more of cotton, polyester, spandex, vinyl, nylon, and rubber.

In another embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12, the liner 14 is formed from a porous material 34 having an average voids volume from 25% to 90% and an average pore diameter from 5 μm to 50 μm. In one embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average voids volume from 25% to 50%. In another embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average voids volume from 50% to 75%. In a further embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average voids volume from 75% to 90%. In an additional embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average pore diameter from 5 μm to 20 μm. In another embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average pore diameter from 20 μm to 35 μm. In a further embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average pore diameter from 35 μm to 50 μm. The porous material 34 may be chosen from cardboard, Styrofoam, cork, wood, plastic, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the porous material 34 is cardboard. In another embodiment, the porous material 34 is Styrofoam. In a further embodiment, the porous material 34 is cork. In an additional embodiment, the porous material 34 is wood. In another embodiment, the porous material 34 is plastic. In yet another embodiment, the porous material 34 is a combination of two or more of cardboard, Styrofoam, cork, wood, and plastic.

In an additional embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12, the disposable sleeve 12 includes an attachment mechanism 32 coupled to the liner 14. Typically, the attachment mechanism 32 is coupled to the liner 14 using an adhesive. The attachment mechanism 32 allows the disposable sleeve 12 to adjustably contact the container 16 by extending around the container 16 and fastening to itself. The attachment mechanism 32 may be chosen from a Velcro fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, an interlocking tab fastener, and combinations thereof In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a Velcro fastener. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a belt fastener. In an additional embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a single hook and loop fastener. In a further embodiment, the attachment mechanism is an adhesive fastener. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is an interlocking tab fastener. In yet another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a combination of two or more of a Velcro fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, and an interlocking tab fastener.

The heating element 40 of the disposable sleeve 12 is typically disposed between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 of the liner 14 and utilizes a heat-generating reaction to produce heat. This heating element 40 further heats the contents within the container 16 to preserve their temperature for a period of time. Furthermore, the liner 14 and heating element 40 may simultaneously protect the user from the extreme heat of the contents within the container 16, while providing a lesser amount of heat to safely warm the user's hands.

In a typical embodiment, the heat-generating reaction utilized by the heating element 40 can be an oxygen-activated reaction. This oxygen-activated reaction can occur in the presence of one or more of cellulose, iron, water, activated carbon (evenly distributes heat), vermiculite (water reservoir) and salt (catalyst). In such reaction, heat can be produced from the exothermic oxidation of iron when exposed to air. Such reactions typically emit heat for 1 to 10 hours. However, it is contemplated that the heating element 40 may use other heat-generating reactions such as crystallization type reactions wherein heat is generated via an exothermic crystallization of a supersaturated salt solution (e.g. sodium acetate). For example, such a heating element 40 may be reusable and may be charged/recharged by immersing the heating element 40 in hot water until the contents are uniformly fluid and then allowing the heating element 40 to cool. The release of heat can then be triggered by flexing a small metal disk in the heating element 40, which typically generates nucleation centers that initiate crystallization, thereby releasing heat. Heat is typically required to dissolve the salt in the solution (to form the supersaturated salt solution) and it is this heat that is released when crystallization is initiated.

The frictional material 26 disposed on the inner surface 22 of the liner 14 typically has a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 2. In one embodiment, the frictional material 26 has a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 1. In another embodiment, the frictional material 26 has a coefficient of static friction from 1 to 1.5. In a further embodiment, the frictional material 26 has a coefficient of static friction from 1.5 to 2. The frictional material 26 directly contacts the container 16 and typically prevents the disposable sleeve 12 from sliding up and down the container 16. The frictional material 26 may be chosen from an epoxy-resin, a rubber, a wax, and combinations thereof In one embodiment, the frictional material 26 is an epoxy-resin. In another embodiment, the frictional material 26 is a rubber. In a further embodiment, the frictional material 26 is a wax. In yet another embodiment, the frictional material 26 is a combination of two or more of an epoxy-resin, a rubber, and a wax. In various embodiments, the frictional material 26 is silica gel, sand, salt, or combinations thereof.

Any type of epoxy-resin, rubber, or wax may be utilized for the frictional material 26. For example, epoxy resins typically must be cross linked in order to develop desired characteristics. This cross linking process can be achieved by chemically reacting the resin with a suitable curing agent or hardener. Any type of resin, curing agent, or hardener may be used. For example, bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin may be used. Alternatively, one or more polyamine curing agents, e.g. aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, polyamine adduct, etc, may be used. Relative to the rubber, any type may be used. For example, one or more of the following types of rubbers may be used: acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, polyacrylate rubber, ethylene acrylic rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyester urethane/polyether urethane rubber, natural rubber, and/or combinations thereof. Similarly, any type of wax may be used. Waxes are organic compounds that characteristically include long alkyl chains. Synthetic waxes are long-chain hydrocarbons (alkanes or paraffins) that lack substituted functional groups. Natural waxes may include unsubstituted hydrocarbons, such as higher alkanes, but may also include various types of substituted long chain compounds, such as fatty acids, primary and secondary long chain alcohols, ketones and aldehydes. They may also contain esters of fatty acids and long chain alcohols. The wax may be a plant or animal wax. For example, those of animal origin typically include wax esters derived from a variety of carboxylic acids and fatty alcohols. In waxes of plant origin, mixtures of unesterified hydrocarbons may be present. The wax may be beeswax, lanolin, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the wax may be carnauba wax, candelilla wax, or ouricury wax. The way may be a petroleum derived wax such as a paraffix wax, montan wax, etc. Moreover, the wax may be derived from polyethylene and related derivatives.

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a system 10 for retaining heat within the container 16 is shown generally in FIG. 1. The system 10 includes the container 16 and the disposable sleeve 12 for contacting the container 16. A cap 18 covers the container 16 in this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12 attached to the container 16. Here, the disposable sleeve 12 includes the liner 14 defining the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24, the heating element 40 disposed between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24, and the frictional material 26 disposed on the inner surface 22 of the liner 14. Also shown in FIG. 2, a liquid 20 may be disposed in the container 16.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12 shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the liner 14 is formed from the stretchable material 36. As a result, the disposable sleeve 12 includes two separate parts of the same liner 14, creating a void wherein the heating element 40 can be disposed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12. In this embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12, the liner 14 is formed from the porous material 34. In contrast to the previous embodiment, this embodiment does not require two separate parts of the same liner 14. Here, the liner 14 already contains voids, in the form of pores 38, wherein the heating element 40 can be disposed. Therefore, when the liner 14 is formed from the porous material 34, the disposable sleeve 12 need only include one layer of the liner 14.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c feature three perspective views of the inner surface 22 of the disposable sleeve 12 with varying embodiments of the frictional material 26. In these three figures, the disposable sleeve 12 is unfolded to better depict the frictional material 26. In FIG. 5a , the frictional material 26 is a singular entity, extending across the inner surface 22. In FIG. 5b , the frictional material 26 is broken-up into separate lines. In FIG. 5c , the frictional material 26 is further broken-up into individual dots. FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c feature three of many possible non-limiting embodiments of the frictional material 26.

FIG. 6 features two views of the disposable sleeve 12 wherein the liner 14 of the disposable sleeve 12 is formed from the stretchable material 36. In the first of the two views, the disposable sleeve 12 is off the container 16. In the second of the two views, the disposable sleeve 12 is affixed to the container 16. It is observable that the disposable sleeve 12 typically stretches in order to accommodate the shape of the container 16.

In other embodiments, the disposable sleeve 12 further includes an attachment mechanism 32 chosen from a Velcro fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, and combinations thereof. FIG. 7a illustrates an embodiment wherein a Velcro fastener includes two separate parts 28 and 30 where the first part is a hook part 28 of the Velcro fastener and the second part is a loop part 30 of the Velcro fastener. FIG. 7b illustrates an embodiment wherein the interlocking fastener includes two separate parts 42 and 44 where one of the interlocking tabs is 42 and the other of the interlocking tabs is 44. FIG. 7c illustrates an embodiment wherein the belt fastener includes two separate parts 46 and 48 where the first part 46 is to fit within the second, belt part 48 of the fastener.

The subject disclosure also includes a method of forming the disposable sleeve 12 for the container 16. This method includes the step of forming the liner 14 from the stretchable material 36 or the porous material 34. This can be accomplished by cutting a truncated conical shape with concentric top and bottom arcuate edges from a larger piece of the stretchable material 36 or the porous material 34. If the liner 14 is to be formed from a non-porous material, the step of forming the liner 14, as previously stated, may be repeated in order to obtain two separate parts of the liner 14. Once the liner 14 has been formed, the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 of the liner 14 are typically defined. After the liner 14 has been formed and the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 have been defined, the heat element 40 is then disposed between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24. The heating element 40 may be disposed completely or partially between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24. The frictional material 26 is then typically disposed onto the inner surface 22 using an adhesive or the already adhesive qualities of the frictional material 26.

In an embodiment of the method, the method further includes a step of coupling the attachment mechanism 32 to the liner 14 using an adhesive. In yet another embodiment, the method further includes a step of sealing the liner 14 after disposing the heating element 40 between the inner surface 22 and outer surface 24. Additionally, the method may include a step of fastening a part of the disposable sleeve 12 to itself, creating a void where the disposable sleeve 12 can contact the container 16.

All combinations of the aforementioned embodiments throughout the entire disclosure are hereby expressly contemplated in one or more non-limiting embodiments even if such a disclosure is not described verbatim in a single paragraph or section above. In other words, an expressly contemplated embodiment may include any one or more elements described above selected and combined from any portion of the disclosure.

One or more of the values described above may vary by ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, ±20%, ±25%, etc. so long as the variance remains within the scope of the disclosure. Unexpected results may be obtained from each member of a Markush group independent from all other members. Each member may be relied upon individually and or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of all combinations of independent and dependent claims, both singly and multiply dependent, is herein expressly contemplated. The disclosure is illustrative including words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

It is also to be understood that any ranges and subranges relied upon in describing various embodiments of the present disclosure independently and collectively fall within the scope of the appended claims, and are understood to describe and contemplate all ranges including whole and/or fractional values therein, even if such values are not expressly written herein. One of skill in the art readily recognizes that the enumerated ranges and subranges sufficiently describe and enable various embodiments of the present disclosure, and such ranges and subranges may be further delineated into relevant halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, and so on. As just one example, a range “of from 0.1 to 0.9” may be further delineated into a lower third, i.e. from 0.1 to 0.3, a middle third, i.e. from 0.4 to 0.6, and an upper third, i.e. from 0.7 to 0.9, which individually and collectively are within the scope of the appended claims, and may be relied upon individually and/or collectively and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, with respect to the language which defines or modifies a range, such as “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “no more than,” and the like, it is to be understood that such language includes subranges and/or an upper or lower limit. As another example, a range of “at least 10” inherently includes a subrange of from at least 10 to 35, a subrange of from at least 10 to 25, a subrange of from 25 to 35, and so on, and each subrange may be relied upon individually and/or collectively and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. Finally, an individual number within a disclosed range may be relied upon and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. For example, a range “of from 1 to 9” includes various individual integers, such as 3, as well as individual numbers including a decimal point (or fraction), such as 4.1, which may be relied upon and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable sleeve for a container comprising: a liner for contacting the container and defining an inner surface and an outer surface, a heating element disposed between said inner and outer surfaces to provide heat to the container via a heat-generating reaction, and a frictional material having a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 2, wherein said frictional material is disposed on said inner surface for direct contact with the container.
 2. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liner comprises a stretchable material having a Young's modulus less than 5 GPa.
 3. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stretchable material comprises cotton, polyester, spandex, vinyl, nylon, rubber, or combinations thereof.
 4. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said liner comprises a porous material having an average voids volume from 25% to 90% and an average pore diameter from 5 μm to 50 μm.
 5. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 4 wherein said porous material is chosen from cardboard, Styrofoam, cork, wood, plastic, and combinations thereof.
 6. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an attachment mechanism coupled to said liner for adjustably contacting the container by extending around said container and fastening to itself.
 7. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 6 wherein said attachment mechanism is chosen from a Velcro fastener, a belt fastener, an adhesive fastener, an interlocking tab fastener, and combinations thereof.
 8. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat-generating reaction is an oxygen-activated reaction.
 9. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 8 wherein said oxygen-activated reaction utilizes oxidation of iron.
 10. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frictional material is chosen from an epoxy-resin, a rubber, a wax, and combinations thereof.
 11. A method of forming a disposable sleeve for a container wherein the disposable sleeve comprises a heating element to provide heat to the container via a heat-generating reaction, and a frictional material having a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 2, said method comprising the steps of: forming a liner for contacting the container and defining an inner surface and an outer surface; disposing the heating element between the inner and outer surfaces; and disposing the frictional material on the inner surface for direct contact with the container.
 12. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the liner comprises a stretchable material having a Young's modulus less than 5 GPa.
 13. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the stretchable material comprises cotton, polyester, spandex, vinyl, nylon, rubber, or combinations thereof.
 14. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the liner comprises a porous material having an average voids volume from 25% to 90% and an average pore diameter from 5 μm to 50 μm.
 15. The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the porous material is chosen from cardboard, Styrofoam, cork, wood, plastic, and combinations thereof.
 16. The method as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a step of coupling an attachment mechanism to the liner for adjustably contacting the container by extending around said container and fastening to itself.
 17. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the attachment mechanism is chosen from a Velcro fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook-and-loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, an interlocking tab fastener, and combinations thereof.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the heat-generating reaction is an oxygen-activated reaction.
 19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the oxygen-activated reaction utilizes oxidation of iron.
 20. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the frictional material is chosen from an epoxy-resin, a rubber, a wax, and combinations thereof.
 21. The method as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a step of sealing the liner after disposing the heating element between the inner and outer surfaces.
 22. The method as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a step of fastening a part of the disposable sleeve to itself.
 23. A system for retaining heat within a container comprising: a container; a disposable sleeve for contacting the container, said disposable sleeve comprising: a liner defining an inner surface and an outer surface, a heating element disposed between said inner and outer surfaces to provide heat to the container via a heat-generating reaction, and a frictional material having a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 2, wherein said frictional material is disposed on said inner surface for direct contact with the container. 